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My 2002 16hp Kohler 2166 Cub Cadet with only 200 hrs. on it is now stalling after starting ,running and mowing fine for maybe 5-10 mins. then it sputters and quits running. After it cools off and sets for a while, it fires right up runs and mows great then sputters and quits again. Plenty of gas, installed a new fuel filter, spark plug, loosened fuel tank cap...still stalls. Anyone have a similar problem and find a solution to stop the stalling problem. HELP!

Sounds like your coil has either a hot short or hot open. This means the coil breaks down when it gets hot. Next time it happens check for spark. No spark, time to replace the coil.

Thank you for your response Rivets. I'll check it for spark after it stalls next time. Someone said you have to pull the motor to get access to the coil module...Hope it's not the coil but afraid it is. Thanks Again for your help.

Shouldn’t have to pull the engine to access the coil.

Hope your right and the other info I saw about having to pull the motor was incorrect. There is a housing around the rear of the motor where it hooks up to the drive shaft. Looks like a huge PITA do it yourself project, or an expensive trip to the lawn equipment repair shop. Thanks Again

Ever clean the cooling fins? Is this overheating? Ever pull the top engine shroud or engine cover?

I don't believe it's overheating, but I'll blow out the motor fins with my air compressor to be sure. Thanks for your help.

Pull the fuel tank hose AT the carb inlet. Should flow and fill up the entire inner diameter of the hose. If you see half flow or less, flush tank and install all new lines.

slomo said:

Pull the fuel tank hose AT the carb inlet. Should flow and fill up the entire inner diameter of the hose. If you see half flow or less, flush tank and install all new lines.

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I just changed the fuel filter, it's flowing fine. Do you know if a 2002 Cub Cadet 2166 with the 16hp Kohler Command motor has a fuel pump ?

Yes it has a fuel pump.

hlw49 said:

Yes it has a fuel pump.

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Ok, thanks. I'll disconnect the fuel line next time it stalls and see if its pumping ok when I crank it over.

Just to note the 2166 Tractor 13A-214G100 13A-254G100 is a shaft drive model and yes the engine has to come out to access the ignition coil and wiring.

StarTech said:

Just to note the 2166 Tractor 13A-214G100 13A-254G100 is a shaft drive model and yes the engine has to come out to access the ignition coil and wiring.

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I was afraid of that, and It sounds like the coil module may be shutting down when it gets hot. I will figure it out later. I have another mower I can use to finish the mowing season, and will play with the 2166 more in the spring. Like my user name "Ain't no mechanic" I'll probably end up taking it to the repair shop if it turns out to be the coil.$$$$$ ouch! Thanks for the help.

Thank you Star for correcting me, I thought it was a vertical engine.

Rivets said:

Thank you Star for correcting me, I thought it was a vertical engine.

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I want to thank all you guys for the very helpful information, like I said I'll work on it more in the spring since mowing season is pretty much over here in Michigan.

Rivets, I had repair mice damage on one these a few years ago. They are a pita to work on. No room to get the shroud off. The customer insisted it only took 30 minutes to get the engine and back on. He no longer a customer as he was a cheap skate. And a track model Toro Dingo with the similar setup that require the engine removal just so I could replace a head gasket. Just in there too tight of a space to work on otherwise.

StarTech said:

Rivets, I had repair mice damage on one these a few years ago. They are a pita to work on. No room to get the shroud off. The customer insisted it only took 30 minutes to get the engine and back on. He no longer a customer as he was a cheap skate. And a track model Toro Dingo with the similar setup that require the engine removal just so I could replace a head gasket. Just in there too tight of a space to work on otherwise.

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Yep, it looks like it would be a huge PITA to remove and replace the engine just to replace the coil. I'll likely have to get it done in the spring. Just curious, since you have done it before, about how much shop time should it take to R&R and replace the coil module. I'm not a cheap skate, but I don't want to get shafted either. The local equipment dealer / repair shop charges an arm and a leg per hour, so it would help to know what would be a fair amount of repair time to be charged for.

Ain't no mechanic said:

Yep, it looks like it would be a huge PITA to remove and replace the engine just to replace the coil. I'll likely have to get it done in the spring. Just curious, since you have done it before, about how much shop time should it take to R&R and replace the coil module. I'm not a cheap skate, but I don't want to get shafted either. The local equipment dealer / repair shop charges an arm and a leg per hour, so it would help to know what would be a fair amount of repair time to be charged for.

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3-4 hours would be in the ballpark depending if things go as planned.

ILENGINE said:

3-4 hours would be in the ballpark depending if things go as planned.

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Thanks, that will give me a ball park idea of what the labor time should be, plus parts. I want to thank everyone who responded and provided all this great information.

ILENGINE said:

3-4 hours would be in the ballpark depending if things go as planned.

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I replaced a blown head gasket on a Cub Cadet with shaft drive about four years ago. Huge Pita and won’t do it again on one of these with shaft drive.

Ain't no mechanic said:

My 2002 16hp Kohler 2166 Cub Cadet with only 200 hrs. on it is now stalling after starting ,running and mowing fine for maybe 5-10 mins. then it sputters and quits running. After it cools off and sets for a while, it fires right up runs and mows great then sputters and quits again. Plenty of gas, installed a new fuel filter, spark plug, loosened fuel tank cap...still stalls. Anyone have a similar problem and find a solution to stop the stalling problem. HELP!

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Vent on fuel cap could be dry and blocked: wiping the fuel cap seal with WD40 will help sticking in the future. Or replace cap. Good luck? Francesco

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Ain't no mechanic said:

I just changed the fuel filter, it's flowing fine. Do you know if a 2002 Cub Cadet 2166 with the 16hp Kohler Command motor has a fuel pump ?

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It depends on the height of the tank to the carb. If your tank is below the seat, you have a pump. If the tank is under the hood, no pump.

I'll bet on the coil. If new coil doesn't fix the problem, it could be valve adjustment. When engine gets hot the valve clearance closes, and the valves don't seat. Engine cools down it starts and runs until hot again.

Ain't no mechanic said:

My 2002 16hp Kohler 2166 Cub Cadet with only 200 hrs. on it is now stalling after starting ,running and mowing fine for maybe 5-10 mins. then it sputters and quits running. After it cools off and sets for a while, it fires right up runs and mows great then sputters and quits again. Plenty of gas, installed a new fuel filter, spark plug, loosened fuel tank cap...still stalls. Anyone have a similar problem and find a solution to stop the stalling problem. HELP!

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My uncle bought a slightly used Troybuilt rider, the seller was having trouble keeping it running and decided to sell it. He already replaced the carb. fuel filter and it would statrt up and run but would soon cut off. My uncle bought it and I used it to cut his grass, I could make about 2 laps, and it would stall, it could sit for about 5 minutes and could make a couple more laps, stall again. I took the gas cap off and looked in the tank and saw a small piece of the gasket from the gas cap covering the hole for the gas line. I removed the gas tank, cleaned it and never had a problem with it again.

Ciccio said:

Vent on fuel cap could be dry and blocked: wiping the fuel cap seal with WD40 will help sticking in the future. Or replace cap. Good luck? Francesco

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I've had the same issue with my mower. Replaced coils and plugs, but it still stalled after about 20 minutes of operation. I drilled a very small hole in the gas cap, and never had another problem.

Ain't no mechanic said:

My 2002 16hp Kohler 2166 Cub Cadet with only 200 hrs. on it is now stalling after starting ,running and mowing fine for maybe 5-10 mins. then it sputters and quits running. After it cools off and sets for a while, it fires right up runs and mows great then sputters and quits again. Plenty of gas, installed a new fuel filter, spark plug, loosened fuel tank cap...still stalls. Anyone have a similar problem and find a solution to stop the stalling problem. HELP!

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I assume it is fuel related but the first step is to confirm this. Get a cheap inline spark checker and see if as it quits the ignition is still firing spark. If so now go after a fuel related problem. Beyond what has been done, float, fuel pump if present, water in fuel system, if gravity feed does it quit on a slope, drain fuel bowl, etc.,

slomo said:

Even clean the cooling fins? Is this overheating? Ever pull the top engine shroud or engine cover?

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One size fits all, eh? This the only thing you know?

Ain't no mechanic said:

I just changed the fuel filter, it's flowing fine. Do you know if a 2002 Cub Cadet 2166 with the 16hp Kohler Command motor has a fuel pump ?

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Ya check the tank vent?

What Rev B said

It could very well be the coil that's causing you grief. I have a Sears Craftsman 26 HP made by Husqvarna and I had similar issues with it. It has the Kohler Command V-twin engine and the coil had to be replaced and since then It's been working like a charm. Hope this helps.

Ritzal said:

It could very well be the coil that's causing you grief. I have a Sears Craftsman 26 HP made by Husqvarna and I had similar issues with it. It has the Kohler Command V-twin engine and the coil had to be replaced and since then It's been working like a charm. Hope this helps.

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Thanks, that's a strong possibility.